Pilot Knob–Verna Dunshee Viewpoint, 3 summits is a 4.4-mile out-and-back in Mount Tamalpais Watershed near Kent Woodlands, CA. The route passes Verna Dunshee Viewpoint before reaching Pilot Knob at the turnaround, 2.2 miles in. It climbs 1,997 ft, with sections as steep as 44% grade. It scores 62/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
0 mi830 – 2,405 ft · steepest grade: 44%4.6 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Plank Walk Trail 37.92786, -122.57925
Nearest town Kent Woodlands, CA
Directions
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Pilot Knob–Verna Dunshee Viewpoint, 3 summits
4.4 mi · ▲ 1,997 ft · 2 hr 28 min
Elevation 829–2,405 ft
Out & Back · Mount Tamalpais Watershed
Trailhead: Plank Walk Trail · 37.92786, -122.57925
Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 91°F / low 73° · precip 0% · wind 3 mph · sunrise 6:16 AM · sunset 8:19 PM
No dogs on part of this route · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
- 350 ftContinue straight onto Verna Dunshee Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftPass Verna Dunshee Viewpoint.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto East Peak Fire Trail, heading N.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Northside Trail, heading N.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto East Peak Fire Trail, heading N.
- 1.1 miTurn right onto Lakeview Fire Road, heading N.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Pilot Knob Trail, heading NE.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Pilot Knob Stub, heading NW.
- 0.1 miReach Pilot Knob, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Pilot Knob Trail, heading NE.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Lakeview Fire Road, heading SE.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto East Peak Fire Trail, heading W.
- 1.1 miContinue straight onto Northside Trail, heading S.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto East Peak Fire Trail, heading S.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Verna Dunshee Trail, heading S.
- 0.1 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
19% dirt6% paved75% unspecified
Weather
ClearTemperature 91°F73°
Precip0%Wind3 mphUV8Humidity38%
Hourly temperature
95°70°
Sunrise 6:16 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:19 PM
Tue
79°64°
Wed
74°49°
Thu
65°47°
Fri
69°46°
Sat
69°45°
Sun
61°45°
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.1 mi in (~1 min). Leave by 7:57 PM for the 8:19 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:39 PM — 9 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- No dogs on part of this route
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Drinking water at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Plank Walk Trail Trailhead
- Fern Creek Trail & Hogback Road via Old Railroad Grade Fire Road 2.8 mi · ▲ 1,296 ft
- Mount Tamalpais West Point via Old Railroad Grade Fire Road 3.1 mi · ▲ 998 ft
- Miller Trail & Old Railroad Grade Fire Road 3.6 mi · ▲ 1,401 ft
- Verna Dunshee Viewpoint–Fern Creek Trail Loop, 5 sights 3.6 mi · ▲ 1,283 ft
- Dawn Falls–Verna Dunshee Viewpoint, 4 sights 3.7 mi · ▲ 1,907 ft
- Temelpa Viewpoint–Verna Dunshee Viewpoint, 5 sights 5.8 mi · ▲ 2,547 ft
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